1. Home: Explore careers
  2. TV presenter

TV presenter

Alternative titles for this job include Television presenter

TV presenters introduce and host programmes, interview people and report on issues and events.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

45 to 47 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays flexibly

How to become a TV presenter

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • volunteering
  • specialist subject knowledge

University

Many people get a degree before becoming a TV presenter. Relevant subjects include:

  • media production
  • drama or performing arts
  • journalism or broadcast journalism
  • media or communications studies

If you want to work as a presenter for a specialist programme, you may need a science, history or economics degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could do a higher apprenticeship as a broadcast production assistant or junior content producer in broadcasting as a first step towards working in the TV industry.

Entry requirements

Most people following this route have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Work

Presenters often move into TV from other media jobs like journalism and research, or from presenting on radio or online.

Volunteering

You could get presenting experience through:

Broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 offer work experience placements, insight and talent days, which can help you get into the industry.

Other Routes

If you have detailed knowledge of a subject like sport, gardening, food or science, you might find work as an expert contributor, presenting or co-presenting programmes with an experienced professional.

More Information

Career tips

Some broadcasters hold competitions to find new presenters. 

You'll usually need a showreel, with clips of yourself on camera, to give to broadcasters, producers or media recruitment agencies.

You will need to audition and/or take a screen test

Competition is strong, so you'll need determination, persistence and the ability to promote yourself.

Jobs are not always advertised, so you need to make industry contacts to find out who is hiring.

Further information

You'll find more details about working in presenting through ScreenSkills and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

You can find out more about creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • active listening skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • concentration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your daily tasks would depend on the type of show you present, but you may:

  • meet with the production team to go through the running order
  • be briefed by researchers, or prepare your own scripts, links and interview questions
  • rehearse
  • present, which may include reading from an autocue, interviewing guests and working with studio audiences
  • react to instructions given to you through an earpiece by the director or floor manager
  • go through several 'takes' if necessary

Working environment

You could work at a TV studio.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career path and progression

With an established TV career, you could branch out into radio work, acting or writing for newspapers and magazines.

With experience, you could also choose to move into other areas within the media industry like production.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Content Creator

  • Wage: £18,000.00 Annually
  • Location: WARRINGTON

Multimedia Apprentice

  • Wage: £19,500.00 Annually
  • Location: Abingdon
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a TV presenter?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

Call 0800 100 900 or use webchat

  • 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
  • 10am - 5pm Saturday

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.